A recent conversation with a friend who’s deeply invested in AI got me thinking—with AI evolving so quickly, how will my job change in the next few years?
So, naturally—like we do with everything these days—I asked ChatGPT. 🙂
AI’s Role in People & Talent: What’s Changing?
AI is already transforming many aspects of the People function by automating repetitive and analytical tasks, such as:
- Payroll & Scheduling – Automating routine processes
- Resume Screening – Filtering candidates based on skills and experience
- Compliance & Documentation – Handling regulatory paperwork
But what about the human side of People & Talent—the parts that require trust, empathy, and strategic thinking? Can AI completely take over?
Where AI Can Be a Powerful Tool
AI is already enhancing the following areas:
- Decision Support – AI can analyze workforce trends, engagement data, and performance metrics to guide strategy.
- Process Automation – Chatbots and AI assistants can handle FAQs, onboarding workflows, and even prep performance reviews.
- Enhanced People Analytics – AI can predict burnout, attrition, or team conflicts before they escalate.
I’m already using AI for some of these tasks, and it’s a welcome change. As a one-person People team, balancing strategy and meaningful deep work with time-consuming administrative tasks is challenging—AI helps make that easier.
But this raises a bigger question: What happens if AI keeps advancing and starts taking over the parts of work we value most? Are there areas where human skills will always have the edge?
What AI Can’t Replace—At Least Not Yet!
While AI can assist in many ways, People & Talent is, at its core, about people. Culture, leadership, and complex dynamics require human insight.
Why Human Insight Still Matters in People & Talent
- People don’t always say what they mean. AI struggles with subtext, reading the room, and picking up on subtle emotional cues.
- Different personalities and backgrounds require different approaches. AI isn’t great at adapting in deeply personal ways.
- Trust and credibility are built through relationships. People trust people—not machines.
I believe AI will push People & Talent professionals toward more strategic leadership and coaching while automation handles repetitive tasks.
Luckily, there are still areas where AI can’t compete with humans:
- Creative Strategy & Vision – AI can generate ideas, but setting a vision and rallying people around it requires human intuition.
- Ethical Decision-Making – AI lacks moral reasoning and can reinforce biases. Navigating HR and business ethics requires human judgment.
- Emotional Support & Conflict Resolution – AI can offer scripted advice, but deep empathy, reading between the lines, and real conflict resolution are uniquely human.
- Leadership & Influence – Inspiring teams, mentoring talent, and fostering culture aren’t things AI can truly do.
- Negotiation & Persuasion – Whether in business deals or sensitive employee situations, humans excel at nuance, emotional intelligence, and power dynamics.
The Future of People & Talent: Adapt & Lead
AI won’t replace People & Talent—but it will reshape it. The focus already seems to be shifting from admin-heavy work to high-impact leadership and relationship-building.
The solution may be to leverage AI while doubling down on what makes us uniquely valuable:
- Coaching & trust-building
- Relationship management
- Strategic leadership
AI will eliminate some jobs, but there is a possibility it will also create new ones. The hope is that those new jobs will be more engaging and meaningful for us humans!
Would you agree? I’d love to hear how others are thinking about this!
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